Looks like we have a split decision that will quire you to test for yourself.

Original Post

I remember two years ago when XenServer (XenSource) used to come as a free package in some Linux distributions, then Citrix scooped them up and I thought – all good things must come to an end. The same thing happened with VMware Server.

Hmm, I’m sure some would like to think so, but I think Microsoft Hyper-V will soon give VMware a run for their money as soon as they can get it to stop crashing and hanging up.

XenServer on the other hand has been around for a while and is slowly gaining more market shares from customers who want more than just free ESXi.

I visited Citrix.com and found a table comparing free XenServer with free ESXi and I thought – something must be wrong because Citrix is sure giving a lot away for free?

Then I realized their strategy takes VMware’s free ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V 2008 to the next level. Just like a drug dealer giving away free samples of “crack”, once you install and “Live Motion” a few times, you’re hooked and then the cash starts flowing for management tools. Capacity planning, server consolidation, monitoring and forecasting tools will all cost you dearly, so go on – just install and Live Motion, it’s fun, it’s cool and it’s free… However, ESXi still holds the belt for now.